Systems and methods for providing pooled access in a telecommunications network

ABSTRACT

A dynamically provisioned telecommunications system and methods for using such. Various of the systems include an automated carrier layer that is operable to direct one of at least two access sources to a subscriber line, and an automated service layer that is operable to direct an access request associated with the subscriber line to one of at least two service pools. In some cases, one or more electromechanical cross-connects are used to switch network signaling.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/434,428, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING POOLEDACCESS IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK,” filed May 7, 2003 by Charles I.Cook, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/434,429, entitled “AUTOMATED CROSS-BOX AND METHODS FOR USING ANAUTOMATED CROSS-BOX”, and assigned to an entity common herewith. Theaforementioned patent application is incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes, and is filed on a date even herewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to telecommunications networks, and inparticular to provisioning and/or accessing pooled resources in atelecommunications network.

A typical telecommunications network is depicted in FIG. 1. Asillustrated, telecommunications network 100 includes a number of networkdevices 123, 125, 127 maintained at a connection location 120. Each ofthe network devices is coupled to a respective subscriber access 133,135, 137 and thereby provides access to services supported by centraloffice 110. Thus, when a subscriber accesses telecommunications network100, the access is performed via the assigned network device. Thisapproach is wasteful as a particular subscriber may only use anassociated network device for a limited portion of a day.

It has been proposed to pool various telecommunications resources in avoice network. However, it is not evident how such a pooling schemecould be used where the network includes relatively high frequency datasignals and associated network devices, or where a packet based networkis employed. Hence, there exists a need in the art for advanced systemsand methods for pooling network devices in a network where high speeddata network signals are present and/or packet based networks areemployed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methodsfor pooling data services in relation to a telecommunications network.In doing so, the present invention provides a pooling approach thataddresses the frequency response needed in relation to current highspeed data networks, and/or addresses issues related to pooling in apacket based network environment. Further, the present inventionprovides systems and methods for automated cross-connecting of signalsin a telecommunications network. Such cross-connecting can be providedin relation to accessing pooled network devices, and/or in relation toselecting between a plurality of access sources.

To provide a desirable frequency response, an electromechanicalcross-connect can be employed. Such an electromechanical cross-connectcan provide a physically switched approach that reduces the frequencyfiltering evident where transistor based switching is used. The controlassociated with the electromechanical cross-connect can be provided viaa transistor based device, however, without degrading the frequencyresponse.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide dynamicallyprovisioned telecommunications systems. The systems include an automatedcarrier layer that is operable to direct one of at least two accesssources to a subscriber line. In addition, the systems include anautomated service layer that is operable to direct an access requestassociated with the subscriber line to one of at least two servicepools, and/or to one of at least two service devices. In some cases, theaccess sources are high frequency access sources including, for example,a digital subscriber line (“xDSL”) access source. In some cases, one ormore of the access sources is a plain old telephone system (“POTS”). Theservice pools can include devices capable of providing POTS, xDSL, andother services. The service pools can be implemented in a remoteterminal. Such a remote terminal can include a plurality of xDSLdevices, and a plurality of POTS devices.

In some cases, the automated carrier layer includes one or morecommunication devices operable to receive a selection. In addition, theautomated carrier layer can include one or more control devices operableto receive the selection from the communication device, and to provide aselector derived from the selection to the electromechanicalcross-connect. The selector can indicate a chosen access source. Thecontrol devices can control the operation of one or moreelectromechanical cross-connects that are operable to route selectedaccess sources to an associated subscriber line.

In various cases, the automated carrier layer includes similarcross-connect devices comprised of one or more communication devicesoperable to receive a selection. In addition, the automated carrierlayer can include one or more control devices operable to receive theselection from the communication device, and to provide a selectorderived from the selection to the electro-mechanical cross-connect thatindicates a chosen access source. The control devices can control theoperation of one or more electromechanical cross-connects that areoperable to route selected network services to a subscriber line.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forprovisioning a data network. The methods include provisioning a numberof service interfaces to support one of various network services. Eachof the service interfaces is assigned to subscribers associated with thedata network on an access-by-access basis. Further, at least one of theservice interfaces is dynamically reprovisioned on an access-by-accessbasis to support a different one of the network services based on thenumber of the subscribers currently assigned to the plurality of serviceinterfaces. In some cases, the one of the reprovisioned serviceinterface is either an ADSL or a VDSL card. In various cases, one ormore of the network services can include a high frequency transferservice, such as, for example, an xDSL service. As used herein, an xDSLtechnologies are any technology within the family of DSL technologiesincluding, but not limited to, ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, HDSL, HDSL2, HDSL4,and SHDSL.

In some instances, the methods further include receiving a configurationrequest in relation to the data network, and formatting theconfiguration request as a selector. The selector is communicated to anetwork device coupled to the data network. The network device includesa communication element that is operable to receive the selector, and anelectromechanical cross-connect that is operable to route a source to anaccess point. A control device is also included to receive the selectorfrom the communication device, and to provide a control signal derivedfrom the selector to the electromechanical cross-connect. In some cases,the network device is maintained in an automated carrier layer remotefrom a central office where the selector is formatted at the centraloffice. In other cases, the network device is maintained in an automatedservice layer remote from a central office.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide systems forutilizing a plurality of service interfaces to support a plurality ofnetwork services. The systems include a control processor associatedwith a computer readable medium that includes instructions executable bythe control processor to provision the plurality of service interfacesto support one of the network services. In addition, the instructionsare executable to assign each of the plurality of service interfaces toa network subscriber on an access-by-access basis, and to dynamicallyreprovision at least one of the plurality of service interfaces tosupport a different one of the plurality of network services based onthe number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the serviceinterfaces, and corresponding features subscribed to by each of thesubscribers.

The summary provides only a general outline of the embodiments accordingto the present invention. Many other objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will become more fully apparent from the followingdetailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the figures which aredescribed in remaining portions of the specification. In the figures,like reference numerals are used throughout several figures to refer tosimilar components. In some instances, a sub-label consisting of a lowercase letter is associated with a reference numeral to denote one ofmultiple similar components. When reference is made to a referencenumeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intendedto refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a prior art telecommunicationsnetwork including a one-to-one device assignment approach;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a automated cross-connect in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-C show an exemplary embodiment of a MEMs basedelectromechanical switch useful in relation to various embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a MEMs based electromechanicalswitch useful in relation to other embodiments of the present invention

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate various redundant switch configurations inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a network resource pooling and/or cross-connect inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a section of the system depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a packet based network including both physicalservice pools and virtual service pools in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one signaling method in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methodsfor pooling data services in relation to a telecommunications network.In doing so, the present invention provides a pooling approach thataddresses the frequency response needed in relation to current highspeed data networks and/or where packet based networks are employed.Further, the present invention provides systems and methods forautomated cross-connecting of signals in a telecommunications network.Such cross-connecting can be provided in relation to accessing poolednetwork devices, and/or in relation to selecting between a plurality ofaccess sources. In some cases, the polling approach is implemented viaan automated service layer.

To provide a desirable frequency response, an electromechanicalcross-connect can be employed. Such an electromechanical cross-connectcan provide a physically switched approach that reduces the frequencyfiltering evident where transistor based switching is used. The controlassociated with the electromechanical cross-connect can be provided viaa transistor based device, however, without degrading the frequencyresponse.

In addition, various embodiments of the present invention provide forimplementing an automated cross-box in relation to the automated servicelayer. In particular cases, the network being accessed is selected viathe automated cross-box, while the network service and/or networkservice device being accessed is selected via the automated servicelayer. As used herein, an automated cross-box is any system capable ofswitching a selected access source to an access point. Such automatedcross-boxes can be controlled from a central office, or other locationremote from the cross-box, thus reducing the need to dispatch servicetechnicians. An access source is any service provider associated with agiven network. Thus, for example, an access source can be an xDSLprovider, a local voice service provider, a long distance voice serviceprovider, and the like. An access point is any avenue through whichservices of a network can be accessed. Thus, for example, an accesspoint can be an xDSL connection at a consumer premises.

In some cases, the function of the automated cross-box can beimplemented directly in other telecommunications equipment, thusreducing the need for a separate cross-box enclosure. In one particularcase, the cross-box functionality can be implemented intelecommunications equipment located at a consumer premises. This caninclude, for example, providing cross-box functionality on a circuitcard, or within a piece of consumer equipment. As just one example,automated cross-box functionality can be implemented in a networkinterface device as more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/356,364, entitled “PACKET NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE AND SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR ITS USE,” filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Bruce A. Phillips etal.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,688, entitled “SYSTEMS,METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONSERVICES,” filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Bruce A. Phillips et al.; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/356,388, entitled “CONFIGURABLE NETWORKINTERFACE DEVICE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS USE,” filed Jan. 31,2003 by Bruce A. Phillips et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/367,596, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A DATA STREAMTO A VIDEO APPLIANCE,” filed Feb. 14, 2003 by Steven M. Casey et al.,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/367,597 entitled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR PROVIDING APPLICATION SERVICES,” filed Feb. 14, 2003 bySteven M. Casey et al. Each of the preceding applications. are assignedto an entity common herewith, and the entire disclosure of each of theaforementioned applications is herein incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

In particular cases, the cross-connect function of the cross-box isimplemented electronically in a non-transistor based switching approach.Such a cross-box can be implemented as one or moremicroelectromechanical system (MEMs) electromechanical switches that donot rely on transistors to switch one access source to another. Invarious cases, these switches can provide increased frequency responsesufficient to allow a twisted pair plain old telephone system (“POTS”)service to be electronically switched to an xDSL line card. Further,this capability can be implemented in a small, relatively inexpensivepackage when compared to larger electromechanical switches, and at thesame time provide increased reliability and greater system integration.

Referring to FIG. 2, an automated cross-connect device 200 isillustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. Automated cross-connect 200 includes a microprocessor 210, acommunication element 220, a control element 230, and anelectromechanical cross-connect 240. Communication element 220 iscoupled to a control source, such as a central office by a controlmedium 250. Electro-mechanical cross-connect 240 is coupled to two ormore access sources via access source media 260, 270 and to an accesspoint via an access point medium 280.

Microprocessor 210 can be any device capable of accessing and executingcomputer executable instructions. In some cases, microprocessor 210 canbe implemented on the same die, or within the same semiconductor packageas other elements of automated cross-connect device 200. In other cases,microprocessor 210 is a stand alone, imbedded processor as are known inthe art. In such cases, microprocessor 210 can be placed on a circuitcard with other elements of automated cross-connect device 200. In somecases, an external memory element, such as a read only memory (ROM) isprovided with the microprocessor. Based on this disclosure, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the microprocessor can becoupled to a number of different memory types including, for example,random access memory (RAM) non-volatile ROM, and/or a database comprisedof a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD ROM, and/or the like.

Communication element 220 can be any device capable of receivingselection information in relation to automated cross-connect device 200.Further, in some cases, communication element 220 can be capable oftransmitting information to the control source, or to other elements onthe network. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate the variety of communication devices that can be used toimplement communication element 220.

The control information received by communication element 220 isreceived via control medium 250, that can be any medium forcommunicating control information from a control source to communicationelement 220. Thus, for example, control medium can be a fiber opticconnection, a satellite connection, a copper twisted pair connection, aradio frequency (RF) connection, or the like. Further, control medium250 can be any combination of the aforementioned media.

Control element 230 can be any device capable of communicating selectioninformation to electromechanical cross-connect 240. Thus, for example,control element 230 can be an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) with outputs that are compatible with electromechanicalcross-connect 240. Alternatively, control element 230 can be implementedin software as part of microprocessor 210, and utilize outputs frommicroprocessor 210 to communicate with electromechanical cross-connect240. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate a number of different ways to implement control element 230.

In one particular embodiment, electromechanical cross-connect 240 is aMEMs device with a number of electromechanical switches implementedthereon. In some cases, electromechanical cross-connect 240 isimplemented on a silicon substrate using various other materials tobuild the various switches and control circuitry thereon. Other types ofsubstrates, including, but not limited to, gallium arsenide. Variousembodiments of MEMs based electromechanical cross-connects are describedbelow in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, communicationelement 220, microprocessor 210, and control element 230 are implementedon a single die. Automated cross-connect 200 can include one of thesecombination elements to control a number of electromechanicalcross-connects 240 all implemented on another MEMs die. Thus,embodiments of the present invention can include a two chip solutioncapable of switching tens, or even hundreds of access sources to accesspoints. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate the myriad of combinations of some or all ofthe elements of automated cross-connect device 200 on semiconductor die,within semiconductor packages, and/or on circuit cards. For example, inyet another embodiment, a microprocessor is not included, andcommunication element 220, control element 230, and electromechanicalcross-connect 240 are implemented on a common silicon substrate, and/orwithin a common semiconductor package.

Turning now to FIG. 3 a, a MEMs based electromechanical switch 300useful in relation to the present invention is depicted. Switch 300includes a conductive cantilever 310 supported by a conductive pivot320. Conductive pivot 320 is disposed on a semiconductor substrate 330.Contacts 340, 350 and actuators 360, 370 are also disposed onsemiconductor substrate 330. Contact 340 is electrically coupled to oneaccess source 341, and contact 350 is electrically coupled to anotheraccess source 351. Conductive pivot 320 is electrically coupled to anaccess point 321.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 b, to select access source 351 for coupling toaccess point 322, a voltage 372 (e.g., a control signal) is applied toactuator 370. This generates an electrical field 373 depicted as dashedlines. This electric field causes cantilever 310 to deflect untilcantilever 310 comes into contact with contact 350. An electricalconnection is formed from contact 350 to conductive pivot 320. Thus,access point 321 is electrically coupled to access source 351.Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 3 c, a selection coupling access point321 to access source 341 is effected by applying a voltage 362 toactuator 360.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a MEMs based electromechanicalswitch 400 useful in accordance with the present invention. Switch 400includes a semiconductor substrate 410 with an insulating layer 420,such as silicon dioxide disposed thereon. A pivot 450, a bottom actuator480, and a switch path 470, 471 are formed over insulating layer 420,and an insulating cantilever 430 and a top actuator 440 are supported bypivot 450. A metallic contact 460 is formed on the underside ofcantilever 430. In operation, a voltage is applied between top actuator440 and bottom actuator 480 causing cantilever 430 to deflect untilmetallic contact 430 contacts switch path 470, 471, thus completing aconductive path from segment 470 to segment 471. Based on the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that avariety of MEMs based electromechanical switches can be used in relationto the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrate various redundant switch configurations in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5 a, aswitch 500 couples one of access source 341 or access source 351 toaccess point 321. Switch 500 includes multiple switch paths 510controlled by common control circuitry 512. In operation, when one ofswitch paths 510 is directed to switch from access source 341 to accesssource 351, or vice versa, all of switch paths 510 are switched. Thus,if one or more of switch paths 510 fail to switch, the selected couplingwill still occur as others of switch paths 510 will complete the desiredcircuit. In some embodiments, switch 500 is designed such that a failingswitch will return to an open position (e.g., neither access source 341nor access source 351 being selected). Further, the devices can bedesigned such that completion of any of switch paths 510 is sufficientto provide the desired coupling.

In particular embodiments, a current detection, or other operationdetection device as known to those of ordinary skill in the art can beimplemented in relation to each of switch paths 510. Thus, when one ofswitch paths 510 fails to close, no current is detected, and a partialfailure of the device can be communicated via communication element 220to a central office. Thus, a subscriber accessing a network via accesspoint 321 never sees the impending failure as at least one of switchpaths 510 properly closes, but an entity maintaining the network can bealerted to the potential failure of the network, and make efforts toavoid the failure by, for example, replacing the electromechanicalcross-connect. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that such switches can be combined inswitch networks capable of coupling an access point to one of three ormore access sources.

FIG. 5 b depicts another exemplary redundant switch 501 in accordancewith other embodiments of the present invention. Switch 501 couples oneof access source 341 or access source 351 to access point 321. Switch501 includes multiple switch paths 520 controlled by common controlcircuitry 522. In operation, one of switch paths 520 are selected viabank control 531 that controls bank switches 530. Thus, when bank switch530 a is closed, switch path 520 b is the current carrying path. Incontrast, when bank switch 530 b is closed, switch path 520 a is thecurrent carrying path. Thus, if switch path 520 a fails, bank control531 can be changed, and a non-failing switch path 520 b can be selected.

FIG. 5 c illustrates yet another exemplary redundant switch 502 inaccordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Switch 502couples one of access source 341 or access source 351 to access point321. Switch 502 includes multiple switch paths 540 controlled by commoncontrol circuitry 542. In operation, one or both of switch paths 540 areselected via common control circuitry 542 to direct access from accesssource 341 or to access source 351. Thus, if one or more of switch paths540 fail, the other of switch paths 540 can be selected to complete thedesired circuit. In some embodiments, switch 502 is designed such that afailing switch returns to an open position, or center position. Further,the devices can be designed such that completion of any of switch paths540 is sufficient to provide the desired coupling.

Some embodiments of the invention further provide for switching betweenservices and/or service ports using the aforementioned switchingapproach. Thus, a remote terminal or other telecommunications device canbe implemented to include pooling resources. The network operator thenutilizes the pool of resources on an as needed basis. This eliminatesthe need for multi-function cards that can only be used to perform onefunction at a time. Thus, for example, a combo card currently used caninclude both ADSL and POTS technology. Both functions are dedicated to asingle access point. When the POTS service or the ADSL service is notbeing utilized, it cannot be utilized by another subscriber.

Further, if the subscriber associated with the access point decides toswitch from ADSL to VDSL, a technician must be dispatched to switch theline card associated with the subscriber. This is costly. By pooling inaccordance with the present invention, a remote terminal can include avariety of POTS, VDSL, ADSL, and other card types. These cards can beused by various subscribers on an as needed basis, thus reducing thecost of providing and maintaining a network.

FIG. 6 illustrates one such switching system 600 that is capable ofswitching between a variety of network services arranged in servicepools 631, and provided in a remote terminal 630. System 600 includes anautomatic cross-box carrier layer 610 capable of selectively couplingaccess source A 341 or access source B 351 on an individual basis to anumber of access points 321. Automated cross-box carrier layer 610 canbe implemented as previously discussed.

Either or both of access source A 341 and access source B 351 can becoupled to an automated cross-box service layer 620. As depicted, accesssource B 351 is coupled to automated cross-box service layer 620 that iscapable of selectively coupling one (or in some cases, multiple) ofservice types 631 to access source B 351, and ultimately to access point321. Automated cross-box service layer 620 can comprise MEMs basedswitches as previously described. Such MEMs based switches can beswitched upon commands generated remote from automated cross-box servicelayer 620. Further, such switches can support high frequency networksignals without degrading the signals as would occur in transistor basedswitching.

Service pools 631 can include groups of devices, or service interfaces,that provide services that can be accessed by subscribers associatedwith access points 321. Such services can include always on xDSLservices, on demand xDSL services, ISDN services, low rate modemservices, caller identification services, video access services, cablemodem services, and a variety of voice services. Such voice services aremore fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,331. The entirety of theaforementioned patent is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes. The approaches for pooling and dynamically provisioningdiscussed in the aforementioned patent are applicable to the presentinvention that additionally provides devices, systems and methods thatinventively make such approaches useful in relation to high speednetwork switching.

Thus, as just one example, pool A 631 a can be provided to service xDSLaccess, and thus may include a group of xDSL line cards. By pooling, anxDSL line card does not need to be dedicated to each access point 321that includes a subscription to xDSL services. Rather, because allaccess points 321 are not constantly accessing xDSL services, xDSL linecards can be dynamically provisioned to provide xDSL services to autilized access point 321, and when that access point 321 becomesinactive, the same line card can be dynamically provisioned to provideaccess services to another access point 321. Thus, the present inventionprovides a mechanism that can reduce the number of network devices thatmust be provided to support a given number of access points.

In addition, increased service levels can be supported. For example,pool A 631 a can include xDSL line cards used to provide always on xDSLservice, or some premium xDSL service. Pool B 631 b can also includexDSL line cards used to provide a lower, a delayed on demand servicelevel. Thus, the first service level may include a greater number ofxDSL line cards for a given number of access points 321 than would beprovided for the lower level of service. However, when line cardsassigned to pool A 631 a are not being utilized, they can be dynamicallyreassigned to pool B 631 b, and thus temporarily increase theperformance of the lower level service. The temporarily reassigned xDSLline card can then be assigned back to its original pool A 631 a when itis needed to support the higher service level. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate anumber of different services and/or service levels that can be supportedusing such a system. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that various pooling and/or access approaches can be appliedin relation to the present invention. For example, an unutilized xDSLline card can be assigned to an unused group, and when additionalresources are required, one of the xDSL line cards can be added on around robin basis, thereby spreading the utilization somewhat evenlyacross the various line cards. Other more or less complicated approachescan be used for a variety of reasons.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a section 700 of system 600.Section 700 includes a number of MEMs based switch networks 625 thatcould be included as part of automated cross-box service layer 620. Eachof switch networks 625 provides service selection for a particularaccess point 321. In addition, each of switch networks 625 are coupledto a number of service devices 635 (in this case xDSL line cards), thatcan be included within pool A 631 a as previously described. Inoperation, when access point 321 a is actively using the serviceassociated with service devices 635, one of the various service devicesis assigned to access point 321 a. Once access point 321 becomesinactive, the previously assigned service device 635 is released to thepool of unused service devices 635, and can then be reassigned to thenext used access point 321. In this way, a line card does not need to bededicate to each access point 321, but rather can be dynamicallyassigned in a pooled approach allowing the number of line cards requiredto be reduced. This pooling process and located at a central networklocation, or at a remote location.

Turning to FIG. 8, a packet based network system 800 including bothphysical service pools 850, 860 and a virtual service pool 840 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention isillustrated. As illustrated, system 800 includes a central office 820communicably coupled to a service set database 870, one or moresubscribers 830, and a number of service pools 840, 850, 860. Serviceset database 870 includes a variety of business rules for selecting anappropriate service pool to provide a service requested by subscriber830.

Service pools 840, 850, 860 are comprised of one or more service devices(i.e., service interfaces), such as line cards and the like forproviding one or more services to subscriber 830. In physical servicepools 850, 860, the various service devices are available from a commonphysical location. Thus, for example, a remote terminal such as thatillustrated in FIG. 6 may include a number of service devices providinga common service type. In contrast, virtual service pool 840 includes anumber of service devices 842, 844, 846 that can be communicably coupledto packet based network 810, but implemented at different physicallocations. As depicted, service pool 850 is communicably coupleddirectly to central office 820, while service pool 860 is communicablycoupled to central office 820 via packet based network 810. Such anapproach allows third party providers to provide and maintain servicepools that can be accessed under the direction of central office 820. Inaddition, virtual service pool 840 allows for third party providers toprovide one or more individual devices that can be accessed and usedunder the direction of central office 820. Thus, as just one example, anindividual user communicably coupled to packet based network 810 canlease excess bandwidth associated with service devices maintained by theuser to subscriber 830 via central office 820.

Using system 800, subscriber 830 can request a service, such as xDSLservices, telephone services, or the like via a request to a centraloffice 820 across packet based network 810. Central office 820identifies subscriber 830, and access service set database 870 toidentify a set of services to which subscriber 830 subscribes. Withinthe set of services, central office 820 identifies the serviceappropriate for fulfilling the request of subscriber 830, and a servicepool 840, 850, 860 that provides the identified service. In addition,central office 820 can arbitrate between the various service deviceswithin the selected service pool to select a service device thatexhibits a loading consistent with fulfilling the request of subscriber830 and/or the subscription terms of subscriber 830. This device is thenreferred to subscriber 830 and can be used by subscriber 830 to completethe requested action. Alternatively, central office 820 may redirectsubscriber 830 to a selected service pool, and the selected service poolarbitrates to identify a service device within the service pool tofulfill the request of subscriber 830.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram 900 illustrates one signalingmethod that can be applied to either or both of the systems depicted inFIGS. 6 and 8 in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. Following flow diagram 900, a service request is received(block 910). In some cases, this service request is received from asubscriber by a central office providing contracted network services tothe subscriber. A service request database is then accessed to identifythe subscriber, and the various services and/or levels of services towhich the subscriber has access (block 920). The request of thesubscriber is used to determine an appropriate service pool to providethe service set needed to complete the request (block 930).

An arbitration is then performed to identify a service device within theservice pool that can provide the requested service (block 940). Thisarbitration can select the least loaded service device, the highestperformance service device, the service device available at the leastcost, a service device maintained by the central office as preferableover one maintained by a third party, or a service device meeting somecombination of the aforementioned criteria. Based on the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize anumber of other criteria and/or combinations thereof that can be appliedto select a service pool and/or a service device within the servicepool.

The selected service device is then identified to the requestingsubscriber (block 950), and the subscriber can then access the selectedservice device to complete the requested transaction (block 960). Insome cases, this redirection from the central office where the initialrequest is initiated to the service device that actually handles thetransaction is transparent to the subscriber, but rather is handledautomatically by the access device used by the subscriber.

The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarityand understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changesand modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appendedclaims. Accordingly, it should be recognized that many other systems,functions, methods, and combinations thereof are possible in accordancewith the present invention. Thus, although the invention is describedwith reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, theembodiments and figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of theinvention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined solelyby the appended claims.

1. A dynamically provisioned telecommunications system, the systemcomprising: a control module adapted to: receive from a central officean identification of a selected access source to be communicativelycoupled with a subscriber line, the selected access source being one ofa plurality of access sources and adapted to provide a firsttelecommunications service from a first of a plurality of service pools;and generate a switch control signal as a function of the receivedidentification; and an electromechanical cross connect, comprising: anelectromechanical switch, communicatively coupled with the controldevice, and adapted to operate in at least a first mode and a secondmode, wherein: the electromechanical switch provides a communicativecoupling between the selected access source and the subscriber line whenoperating in the first mode; the electromechanical switch provides acommunicative coupling between a second of the plurality of accesssources and the subscriber line when operating in the second mode, thesecond of the plurality of access sources being adapted to provide asecond telecommunications service from a second of the plurality ofservice pools; and the electromechanical switch is adapted to receivethe switch control signal and switch to the first mode in response tothe control signal, thereby providing the subscriber line with access tothe first telecommunications service via the selected access source whenoperating in the first mode; wherein the control module and theelectromechanical cross connect are collocated within telecommunicationsequipment, the telecommunications equipment being located at asubscriber premises associated with the subscriber line, the subscriberpremises being located remote from the central office.
 2. The systemrecited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the access sources comprisesa high-frequency access source.
 3. The system recited in claim 2 whereinthe high-frequency access source comprises an xDSL access source.
 4. Thesystem recited in claim 3 wherein at least a second of the accesssources comprises a plain-old-telephone-system service.
 5. The systemrecited in claim 1 further comprising an automated service layerconfigured to direct an access request associated with the subscriberline to the first of the plurality of service pools.
 6. The systemrecited in claim 1, further comprising a terminal that includes aplurality of xDSL devices comprised by the first of the plurality ofservice pools and a plurality of plain-old-telephone-system devicescomprised by the second of the plurality of service pools.
 7. A methodfor provisioning a telecommunications network, the method comprising:receiving from a central office an identification of a selected accesssource to be communicatively coupled with a subscriber line, theselected access source being one of a plurality of access sources, eachof the plurality of access sources being coupled with the subscriberline and adapted to provide a telecommunications service from arespective one of a plurality of service pools to the subscriber line;generating a switch control signal as a function of the receivedidentification; operating an electromechanical cross connect into astate that provides an electrically conductive path from the selectedaccess source to a subscriber line in response to the switch controlsignal; and routing the telecommunication service from the one of theplurality of service pools respective to the selected access source tothe subscriber line through the electrically conductive path, whereinthe receiving, operating, and routing steps occur in proximity to asubscriber premises associated with the subscriber line, the subscriberpremises being located remote from the central office.
 8. The methodrecited in claim 7 wherein at least one of the access sources comprisesa high-frequency access source.
 9. The method recited in claim 8 whereinthe high-frequency access source comprises an xDSL access source. 10.The method recited in claim 9 wherein at least a second of the accesssources comprises a plain-old-telephone-system service.
 11. The methodrecited in claim 7 further comprising directing an access requestassociated with the subscriber line to a selected one of the pluralityof service pools.
 12. The method recited in claim 11 wherein one of theservice pools comprises a plurality of xDSL devices and another of theservice pools comprises a plurality of plain-old-telephone-systemdevices.